After returning to league action on Saturday with our Sky Bet League Two opener against AFC Wimbledon at Blundell Park, the Mariners will kick-off our Carabao Cup campaign with a First Round tie at Mansfield Town tomorrow evening (7:30pm KO).
Last term’s efforts in the competition saw Paul Hurst’s Town team defeat Crewe Alexandra 3-0 before being defeated at Blundell Park by Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest. Tomorrow’s match is the first of two matches in the space of twelve days against Mansfield with the Stags set to visit Blundell Park on Saturday 19th August in the league.
Team News
The Mariners handed starts to seven new signings on Saturday with Charles Vernam among those as he made his second debut for the Club after sealing his return from Lincoln City this summer.
In addition to that, recent recruit Arthur Gnahoua made his debut on the day the Club announced his signing while Rekeil Pyke returned to action after overcoming an injury. His late introduction to proceedings saw him take to the field for the first time since our opening pre-season friendlies against Grimsby Borough and Cleethorpes Town.
Post-match, manager Paul Hurst confirmed that winger Otis Khan is currently out with an injury but the Mariners will still have plenty of options should he wish to make changes to his line-up and squad for tomorrow’s cup match.
The likes of Gavan Holohan and Danny Amos were left out of the matchday squad on Saturday while the likes of Michee Efete and Luke Waterfall – both regulars throughout the last campaign – stayed on the bench for the full afternoon.
Mansfield Town
Tomorrow’s hosts started their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Crewe Alexandra in League Two on Saturday.
The Stags have brought in seven players ahead the new campaign, including experienced defender Aden Flint. The 34-year-old joined Mansfield late last week and made his debut from the bench in Saturday’s opening weekend draw against Crewe.
Davis Keillor-Dunn scored both of our opponents’ goals in Saturday’s draw and impressed against the Mariners last season.
Managed by Nigel Clough, the Stags missed out on last season’s Play-Offs by one goal with Salford’s +18 goal difference edging out Mansfield’s +17. They will be looking to go a step further this season and, like the Mariners, they go into tomorrow night’s match looking for a first win of the season.
Previous Meetings
The teams faced each other on three occasions last term with both league meetings ending level, a 0-0 draw at the One Call Stadium coming three weeks before the return fixture at Blundell Park saw the teams score one goal apiece.
Before those encounters, an EFL Trophy Group Stage match saw the Mariners win 2-0 with Otis Khan and Danilo Orsi scoring Town’s goals.
Referee
Scott Jackson will be the man with the whistle tomorrow in what will be his first Mariners match. He will be assisted by Richard Wigglesworth and Lee Freeman.
Coverage
Due to broadcast restrictions, tomorrow’s match will not be available for live streaming. Audio subscribers on Mariners TV will, though, be able to listen live to BBC Radio Humberside’s commentary.
UTM
